Tech
Apple might eliminate the headphone jack to accommodate Beats By Dre
by Mark Teo
June 6, 2014
If you were confused by Apple’s ludicrous purchase of Beats By Dre—they spent $3.2 billion on the headphone enterprise, making Dre hip-hop’s first billionaire—you weren’t alone. But now, their intentions behind the purchase is becoming clearer: They might make Beats the mandatory headphone for your MacBook, iPhone, or iPad.
As Forbes reports, Apple has submitted a specification to replace the standard 3.5mm headphone jack with their signature Lightning port. Apple products with the port will only need a firmware update in order to accept Lightning-compatible headphones. Easy peasy.
What this means, though, is that you can’t use your favourite Skullcandy, Audio Technica, or Bang & Olufsen headphones with Apple products.
Still, this isn’t only Apple’s attempt to monopolize the headphone market. There are upsides to the switch: Aside from typical cellphone headphone functionality—the ability to pick up calls, adjust volume, and so forth—Lightning headphones may be able to integrate apps more seamlessly. Further, as the port can receive and send power, it could be possible to charge things with your Beats headphones.
But at the same time, it is Apple’s attempt to monopolize the market. Forbes correctly notes that since they own Beats, they control an essential accessory—and they could charge a hefty sum for any other headphones licensed for use with Apple. Further, if they make 3.5mm-to-Lightning adaptors for those who want to stick with their old headphones, they could charge exorbitant prices (and make the adaptors clunky and difficult to use).
For that reason, it’s possible that Apple could either strengthen their hold on their current fans—by making more functional, beautiful, Apple-specific products—or drive them away. Time will tell, but it’s likely Dr. Dre himself doesn’t care—he’s too busy, like, buying Tom Brady’s old mansions.
